Time For A Planned, Yet Unscheduled Break

8 more training weeks to go. Some days I am pumped and ready for the next level of training and other days I am exhausted.

What’s a gal to do?

Take a break, that’s what. ? “gimme a break, gimme a break…” ?

Is it advisable to take a break this early on in training? After all, I’m only in week 5 of 12. TRAINING WIENER! Yes, it’s not only advisable, it may be the one thing that keeps me motivated and healthy throughout the duration of training.

So what is a defined rest? A day off? A few days off? A week off? I think this is highly subjective to each runner. For me it’s a matter of judging the severity of physical aches and pains, as to how long of a break I need. If I don’t seem to be recovering after my long runs each week, then I know my body is depleting itself and needs a break….STAT! Rarely has the rest been more than a few days.

Usually, I can overcome a mental revolt by merely lacing up my shoes and getting out the door. A few minutes on the streets and I’m good to go for the rest of the scheduled run. Plus, I have that whole weirdo competitive thang with myself. What, Patti? You’re not running today? WUSS! that serves to motivate me. If there was ever an award for trash-talking in third person, Patti would win!

Yet, the physical issues are harder to push aside; it’s the physical issues that slow me down more than the mental. Knowing that each problem can morph into a game-stopper if not given the proper attention and care, makes me a cautious runner, most days. Some days it just serves to tick me off and I push myself even harder, which usually lands me in a self-imposed break.

GAAA!

Doesn’t my body know I’m training here?

Because I know my unorthodox methods of training include insanity, third person trash-talking, pushing when ill-advised and the ever present HOLLA!, I always start my program with unscheduled, yet planned, breaks and take them as needed.